Jon Acuff's Blog, page 2
August 4, 2025
Summer Soundtracks Part 5: Growth Is the Goal, Not Comfort
This one hit me right between the eyes.
In Part 5 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m talking about a mindset I’m still learning to believe: Growth is the goal, not comfort.
It’s easy to quit when things get awkward, inconvenient, or uncomfortable. I’ve done it with goals like YouTube, and I’ve pushed through it with goals like writing my first book. Today I’ll show you why discomfort isn’t a sign something’s going wrong—it’s a sign something’s going right.
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July 28, 2025
Summer Soundtracks Part 4: Win the Way You’ve Won Before
In Part 4 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m unpacking a simple but powerful mindset shift: Win the way you’ve won before.
You’ve already succeeded at something in your life, and that win left clues. Today I’ll show you how to find them, repeat them, and bring that momentum into your next goal. Whether it’s a health goal, a career goal, or a personal one, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to remember what worked—and do it again.
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July 21, 2025
Summer Soundtracks Part 3: Be Your Bodyguard, Not Your Bully
This is Part 2 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, and I’ve got another soundtrack for you:
“Surround yourself with friends who throw fuel, not water.”
We’re talking about the kind of people who help your dreams grow—and the kind who quietly shrink them. I’ll walk you through three questions that will change how you think about your friendships and your mindset. Let’s make this the best summer yet. Tune in today!
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July 14, 2025
Summer Soundtracks Part 2: Surround Yourself with Friends Who Throw Fuel, Not Water
This is Part 2 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, and I’ve got another soundtrack for you:
“Surround yourself with friends who throw fuel, not water.”
We’re talking about the kind of people who help your dreams grow—and the kind who quietly shrink them. I’ll walk you through three questions that will change how you think about your friendships and your mindset. Let’s make this the best summer yet. Tune in today!
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July 7, 2025
Summer Soundtracks Part 1: I Am the CEO of My Actions, Not My Outcomes
Have you ever felt frustrated trying to control things that are completely out of your hands? In this episode, I’m kicking off a new summer series where I randomly pick cards from my Soundtracks Conversation Deck and share the mindset shifts that can change everything. Today’s soundtrack: “I am the CEO of my actions, not the CEO of my outcomes.” We’ll talk about why remarkable people focus on what they can control while accepting what they can’t, plus I’ll share how this one shift helped me stop getting mad at Nashville weather (yes, we get more rain than Seattle—I looked it up like a complete dork). Ready to let go of outcomes and lean into action this summer? Listen to this episode now.
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June 30, 2025
The “Too Busy” Lie and 2 Systems That Will Change Everything with Mo Bunnell
Do you ever catch yourself saying “I’m too busy” when someone asks you to connect? Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow, says that’s one of five lies keeping us stuck—and he’s got the research to prove it. In this episode, Mo breaks down his “Cut to Climb” process (30 minutes quarterly to find 50 hours you’ll never waste again) and his MIT system for weekly planning that actually works. Plus, you’ll hear about his genius ChatGPT setups for family, work, and decision-making that sound like something from the future. Oh, and yes, we definitely talk about his green-cheeked conure and miniature donkey. Tune in to hear more!
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June 23, 2025
3 Things I Learned From Simon Sinek That Changed Everything
A few years ago, Simon Sinek and I had the same editor. Since then, I’ve had the chance to learn from him, and let me tell you—it’s been a game changer.
In this episode, I’m sharing three lessons Simon taught me: why you should be able to draw your idea on a napkin, why short beats long every time, and the power of being kind to people behind you. Plus, I’ll tell you about an unexpected birthday surprise that perfectly illustrates why the encouragement you put out comes back to you in ways you never expect.
Whether you’re building a business, writing a book, or chasing any dream, these insights will save you time and help you think differently about success. Time to get started on that thing you’ve been thinking about doing.
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June 16, 2025
Awesome is Never Accidental
I’ve never met someone who accidentally got in shape. Or accidentally had a great marriage. Or accidentally built a million-dollar business. You know why? Because awesome is never accidental.
In this episode, I’m sharing how this simple 4-word soundtrack will change how you think about achievement. After interacting with hundreds of thousands of people online and learning from CEOs across different industries, I’ve discovered that successful people are intentional about three specific things: their time, their actions, and their relationships.
Which one do you need to work on? Let’s figure it out—because if you want to be awesome, you’re going to need to be intentional about it.
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June 9, 2025
37 Ways to Have the Greatest Summer Ever (Part 2)
Ready to continue making this your most intentional summer? In this episode, I’m sharing the final 19 ways to elevate your summer from average to extraordinary. From buying the weirdest thing at your local farmer’s market, to exploring your dream neighborhood, to committing to reading with your kids—these actionable ideas will inspire you to make the most of the season. No need to have heard part 1; you can jump right in! Whether you’re looking to learn something new (art classes, fly fishing with a guide), create memories (4th of July parties, visiting new states), or simply add more joy to your days (bird baths, journals, ice cream reviews), these suggestions will spark your own creativity for truly making this the greatest summer ever.
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June 2, 2025
37 Ways to Have the Greatest Summer Ever (Part 1)
Summer is here, and in this episode, I’m sharing the first 18 of 37 incredible ways to make this your most remarkable summer yet. Why wait for January to set meaningful goals? From catching up with friends you’ve been meaning to see, to visiting quirky local attractions you’ve never explored, this list (created with help from my Guaranteed Goals Community) is packed with ideas that anyone can implement. Whether you’re looking to finally try that neighborhood restaurant, learn a new card game, or simply upgrade your tired flip-flops, these intentional goals will transform your summer from ordinary to extraordinary. Tune in for part one of this special two-part series, and get ready to “pool so hard” this season!
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